New eTrex line announced - eTrex 10, 20 and 30

[ScottM]

Finally, Garmin has announced an update to the eTrex line.  The VistaHCx (and variants) has been one of the GPS units I recommend the most, especially for exploratory riding and bikepacking.

But the small screen, slow processor, and uploaded trackpoint limitation (20x500 pt silliness) is becoming more and more annoying compared to newer units such as the 62 series, Oregon, Dakota and even Edge.  Each of those have their own downsides such as size (62), screen readability (Oregon, Dakota) and internal battery & start/stop button (Edge).

The new eTrex looks to nail everything, at least from my perspective.  The info so far doesn't say anything about replaceable batteries (2AA please!) so that's the only thing I'm wondering about so far.  For backcountry use (bikepacking or long rides) replaceable batts are a must.

I'm really hoping this GPS becomes the 'goto' GPS I can recommend without reservation, not to mention use on my own handlebars.

For the full details head over to GPStracklog:

http://gpstracklog.com/2011/05/garmin-etrex-10-20-and-30-announced.html

One more thing I'm curious about is whether it will support heart rate and cadence like the Oregon/Dakota do.

Thoughts?

[Done]

Looks great. Agreed about the batteries though--no replaceable AA or AAA batteries, no deal.

I doubt that I'll be upgrading my Vista HCx anytime soon though; it does pretty much everything that I need. But if it dies, I'm guessing that a eTrex 20 or 30 will be in my future!

[bmike-vt]

that back looks like it screws off, hopefully replaceable batts.
glad i've held out. hope these get good reviews.

[sherpaxc]

Can you plug it in to a Mac?

[maadjurguer]

I agree with bmike-vt....the back plate has the screw thingy, so it has replaceable batteries for sure.  It'll be nice to see how battery life compares in the new iteration.  Even though they may be replaceable, it seems that Garmin's power management in newer versions has been less than optimal in my experience.  Even if this new unit has all the best feature, for me; if the screen can't stay up all the time like a Vista HCx or 705...then it's a not starter for me.

[ActionJackson]

Can you plug it in to a Mac?

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={c02dfe10-7691-11e0-c88f-000000000000}

and

http://www8.garmin.com/macosx/

New eTrex units looks great. Like Toby said, my VistaHCx is running good too, although the screen in sunlight is barely readable sometimes, maybe these new version might improve on that. Replaceable batteries, are a must.

[Done]

https://support.garmin.com/support/searchSupport/case.faces?caseId={c02dfe10-7691-11e0-c88f-000000000000}

and

http://www8.garmin.com/macosx/
...although the screen in sunlight is barely readable sometimes, maybe these new version might improve on that.

Have you tried using different color schemes? I think that I'm using "amethyst," which makes the screen pretty clear. I've also found that using polarized sunglasses seems to help. Sure is a lot clearer than the touch-screen models though!

[gregclimbs]

based on the side view, and the 25hr claim, I am betting it is 4-6AA batteries... also supported by the thumbscrew on the back.

Might be worth having (at what I think is a reasonable price no less) as a backup to my 705...

g

[ActionJackson]

Hey Toby,

My daytime color scheme was set to Diamond, probably the default, so I change it do "amethyst", didnt seem to make much of a difference in the Texas sun today.

Will try some other schemes out.                                               

[Done]

Hey Toby,

My daytime color scheme was set to Diamond, probably the default, so I change it do "amethyst", didnt seem to make much of a difference in the Texas sun today.

Will try some other schemes out.                                               

When I get home tonight, I'll check to see what I'm using. I may have also changed the track colors too.

[sherpaxc]

Hey Toby,

My daytime color scheme was set to Diamond, probably the default, so I change it do "amethyst", didnt seem to make much of a difference in the Texas sun today.

Will try some other schemes out.                                               

Maybe the shadow of your huge and sexy arms got in the way.

[BazB]

Hey folks, anyone with experience using vista hcx and a linux distro?
experiences? suggestions?

Thanks.

[29singlespeed]

Third Quarter release... any updates on timing? I have a 705, but for obvious battery reasons need an alternative.

[bbaker22]

I've seen the following: Estimated in stock: August 16, 2011
at
http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-etrex-20.html

[bmike-vt]

According to that link the specs show AA batteries!
Might be putting that on my birthday list for my sweetie...

[unsponsored]

They look really good. Probably end being twice the price in the UK

[bmike-vt]

$199 on that linked site. Seems like a great price on the 20.

[RossC]

Am I going bonkers or did the pre-release information for the new etrex indicate that there was no limitations to the tracklog size i.e it said something like "limited by memory space available".

Now that it is released, we are back to the same old 10,000 point limitation. Why can they build a cycling specific GPS that doesn't have any limitation on file size yet they can't do the same with their hand helds? 

I guess I will just stick to my etrex vista hcx since the new one no longer does anything any better.

[bmike-vt]

looks like 10,000 points, 200 tracks...

[multisportscott]

Hi, has anyone actually got their mitts on one of the new eTrex yet?
Keen to hear opinions?
Scott M, what's your assessment on them? You seemed very enthusiastic when they were announced, are you still that enthusiastic?
This will be my first forray into the world of GPS, with the intention of using it on TD.
Thanks for any feedback.
Scott E in NZ